Fifth International Conference United We Stand Strong
The Fifth International Conference United We Stand Strong, organized by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, European Studies Department, “Jean Monnet” Center of Excellence with the support of “Erasmus Plus” Program of the European Union and “Hanns Seidel” Foundation took place in Sofia, EU House, on 31 May – 1 June 2018.
This year our annual conference was dedicated to the first Rotational Presidency of the Council of the European Union, held by Bulgaria, in the period January-June 2018.
The motto of the Bulgaria Presidency “United we stand strong” was also chosen as a title of the Fifth International Conference of the European Studies Department.
The event was focused on the four priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency:
The future of the European Union and the young people – economic growth and social cohesion;
Security and stability in a strong and united Europe;
European perspective for the Western Balkans
Digital agenda and advanced competences for the future.
The panels and papers spanned topics such as: What future do we choose for Europe, how to move ahead together, what decisions shall we make, what are the concrete steps to undertake in order to be united and strong? How can we as academic staff and experts contribute for the addressing and overcoming of these new challenges related to the EU social-economic and territorial cohesion, competitiveness and citizens` living standard?
Among our keynote speakers this year were Prof. Eckart D. Stratenschulte, Executive Director of the German National Foundation Application; Prof. Dr. Menno Fenger, Endowned Professor of Public Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam; Prof. Dr. András Inotai, General Director of the Institute of World Economy, Hungary, Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, Minister of European Affairs of Montenegro (2016-2018).
This year, the conference again had a focus on the Western Balkans region, with many participants from the candidate and prospective candidate countries from the region. There were also lecturers from the larger South-East European region, which is the key focus of activities of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence.
“United Europe – Mission Possible”
Conference proceedings: “Of Citizens and Institution – a Time for Decisions in the EU”
The PhD conference “The European Union in the eye of the storm”
“Young voices for energizing Europe”
“The Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union – from Empirical Facts towards Expert Evaluation”